High-Temperature Stretching of Second-Generation Superconducting Tape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for improving the current carrying capacity of second-generation high-temperature superconducting tapes are limited, particularly in controlling the distribution and geometry of non-superconducting second phases and are not scalable for industrial production.
Innovation Solution
A method involving high-temperature stretching and oxygenation heat treatment of the tapes, which can include silver plating and using rare-earth barium-copper-oxide compounds with non-superconducting second phases, processed through techniques like pulsed laser or chemical vapor deposition, to increase defect density and flux pinning ability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-superconducting second phase is introduced during deposition to improve current carrying capacity, then flux pinning ability is enhanced, but control of distribution and geometry of second phase is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing high-temperature stretching treatment before the final product completion. The stretching process is conducted at temperatures between 450-650°C to reconstruct the microstructure of the superconducting layer, creating defects that serve as flux pinning centers. This preliminary structural reconstruction enables better control over the distribution and geometry of pinning centers compared to introducing second phases during deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the stretching temperature (450-650°C), stretching time (1 minute to 100 hours), and strain (0.1%-1%) to optimize the microstructure. By changing these parameters, the defect density and flux pinning ability can be precisely controlled, resolving the contradiction between enhancing current carrying capacity and controlling the distribution of pinning centers.
2Reliability
If fast neutron radiation is applied to introduce defects as flux pinning centers, then current carrying capacity is improved, but production scale is limited by technical conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex fast neutron radiation system with a simpler mechanical stretching system operating at elevated temperatures. Instead of using particle physics infrastructure, the invention uses controlled mechanical deformation (stretching) combined with thermal treatment to create the desired defect structure. This substitution enables industrial-scale production while achieving comparable or superior flux pinning effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from radiation-induced defects to thermally-assisted mechanically-induced defects. By controlling temperature (450-650°C), time (1 minute to 100 hours), and strain (0.1%-1%), the process becomes scalable and controllable for industrial production, overcoming the productivity limitations of neutron radiation methods.
3Reliability
If stretching strain is increased to reconstruct microstructure and increase defect density, then flux pinning ability is enhanced, but mechanical damage may cause attenuation of current carrying capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully balances the strain parameter (0.1%-1%) and temperature (450-650°C) to achieve microstructure reconstruction without causing macroscopic damage. By optimizing these parameters, sufficient defect density is created for flux pinning while maintaining the mechanical integrity of the superconducting layer, preventing delamination and cracking that would occur at excessive strains.
Solution Approach 2:
The stretching treatment is applied as a preliminary step followed by oxygenation heat treatment to restore and stabilize the superconducting properties. This sequence ensures that any temporary mechanical stress is relieved and the superconducting layer is returned to a stable state with enhanced microstructure, preventing long-term mechanical damage while achieving the desired defect density for flux pinning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly enhances current carrying density and reduces superconductivity anisotropy, with a simple and controllable process suitable for mass industrial production.
Implementation Method 1
a reconstruction of the microstructure of the superconducting layer induced by the stress and strain under a high-temperature environment, which is to increase the defect density of the superconducting layer comprising dislocation loops, stacking faults, etc. with a strain
Implementation Method 2
The stretched second-generation high-temperature superconducting tape needs to be subjected to the oxygenation heat treatment to ensure the enough amount of oxygen content in the superconducting layer as the oxygen loss may occur during stretching
Data Source
AI summary
A method for improving current carrying capacity of a second-generation high-temperature superconducting tape, which includes: stretching the second-generation high-temperature superconducting tape in a high-temperature environment, and carrying out an oxygenation heat treatment on the stretched second-generation high-temperature superconducting tape The atmosphere of the high-temperature environment is oxygen, or an inert gas, or a mixture thereof, and a temperature of the high-temperature environment is 450-650° C.; and a strain for stretching ranges from 0.1% to 1%, and a time for stretching ranges from 1 minute to 100 hours. The method of the present invention is a post-processing technique for the second-generation high-temperature superconducting tape with a simple treatment process and a controllable result, and by stretching, current carrying capacity of the superconducting tape is improved and anisotropy of superconductivity is reduced.